Yoritomo, often called the Son of Storms, was a large man by Rokugani standards. He had an athletic build and green eyes. He was only rarely seen out of his trademark mantis-like armor, and even rarer still without his kama. Believing that the Mantis Clan deserved to be more than a minor clan, he lived his life to one end: the ascension of his people to Great Clan status. Yoritomo was a cunning tactician and a fearsome warrior. His courage and audacity shocked many, but lead most samurai to admire his strength. [citation needed]

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In 1100, [3] at the age of three, Yoritomo's mother and two brothers were killed by assassins from the Ivory Kingdoms. The attack upon the Mantis Clan Champion's family left the Champion with a crippled leg and Yoritomo with a scar across his face. Yoshitsune kept the true nature of his family's death from Yoritomo for years to come. [1]

Yoritomo did not know his eldest brother had found his father was trading with the gaijin, a forbidden activity by Imperial Decree. He hired an assassin, and asked the man to murder his father. He wanted the assassin to 'take Yoshitsune's place in all things'. He expected to later murder the imposter and restoring his family's honor and taking the Championship. [4]

Gaijin sorcerers killed at night without mercy, with the acid of their hands and feet, leaving only white bone in their touchs. His eldest brother was killed with his own katana, and his father murdered, being secretly replaced by the assassin leader. The Storm Legion finally reached the gaijin and struck them down. [5]

Yoritomo's sensei during his youth was called Tokui. In one sparring session, earlier in the same day Yoshitsune revealed the truth to Yoritomo, Yoritomo broke some of Tokui's ribs. Tokui might have been killed were it not for the intervention of Yoshitsune. [1]

When Yoritomo reached his gempukku[4] in 1117, Yoshitsune's conscience weighed too heavy, and he revealed to Yoritomo the true nature of what had happened that night. Yoshitsune revealed that he was an impostor, a Rakshasa called Bishan the Watchful, that the real Yoshitsune had died during the attack, and the imposter had come to love Yoritomo and raised him until just before his gempukku. The false Yoshitsune handed Yoritomo his blades, and as it dawned upon the ten year old boy that the man was not his real father the man jumped from the walls of Kyuden Mantis to his death in the sea below. [1]

Yoritomo was appointed as the general of the Mantis armies. He taught his followers a technique created on his own, the Yoritomo's Rolling Wave, a weaving and dodging style of fighting that was perfectly suited to the rolling waves of Rokugan's wide oceans. This movement was hypnotizingly slow and unpredictable, and caused the Mantis to be more difficult to hit. [8]

In 1125 a Mantis scouting trip cast ashore in the Shadowlands, witnessing by happestance a meeting between the Kuni DaimyoKuni Yori and Oni. Yoritomo realized Hida Kisada was sealing an alliance with the Sahdowlands to bid for the Empire. The Mantis kept silent, as their testimony would not be accepted at court, and began to increase their army. [15]

To increase his visibility and power base, Yoritomo formed the Yoritomo's Alliance during the Clan War. They were united by a common cause: stop the bloodshed, force the Great Clans to honor their ancient obligations and oaths, and ensure that the Empire is saved from those who would destroy it. [16] They were used as hired mercenaries, and the gold of the Crane had paid for the Mantis's vast armies. [17]

Yoritomo sent an invasion party to mainland Rokugan. The Mantis ranks were filled with many ronin. The army had come to purge the Shadowlands that plagued the people, and if in doing so the Yoritomo's Alliance could prove their mettle to the Great Clans, so much the better. [23] In 1127 a unit of the Alliance led by Tsuruchi was sent by Yoritomo against an horde of oni and goblins, near the southern Crane border. Despite their small numbers, the combined archers of the Wasp, and shugenja of the Centipede and Fox delayed the Shadowlands forces until the Alliance's main army reached them. [24]

In mid-winter the armies of the clans were massing near Otosan Uchi. Yogo Junzo's Army headed toward the massed armies of Rokugan through the Sokustel Forest. They were ambushed by the Wasp archers of Tsuruchi, flanked by the forces of the Falcon, and smashed by another flanking assault from the other side made by the Mantis warriors. Fox and Centipede shugenja riddled the tainted army throughout. The forces of the Shadowlands suffered heavy losses until Yoritomo withdrew his forces and quickly moved north to join the others. [26]

Yoritomo struggled to earn the respect of their fellow clans, but few were willing to afford them the same priviliges as the original Great Clans. Many of the Minor Clan samurai who had joined him during war were returning to their homes. The fortunes of war brought him greatness, but without war the Yoritomo family might soon stand alone. Tsuruchi, disgusted with the other members of the alliance, threw his lot with Yoritomo. The Wasp Clan became the Tsuruchi family of the Mantis [32] in 1128. [33] Following EmperorToturi I's kidnapping in 1130, Yoritomo's ambitions towards the Imperial Throne increased. [34]

While journeying through Crane Clan lands, Doji Kuwanan himself traveled with the Mantis. Upon arriving in Scorpion lands, it became clear that Kuwanan had made his own plans, using the Scorpion Children fostered to the Crane as an excuse for rightful ownership of Scorpion lands. Kuwanan ambushed Yoritomo as they entered Scorpion lands, and Yoritomo was forced to retreat. [36] Kuwanan was unaware of it at the time, but his decisions were based on advisers sent by the Lying Darkness to cause strife in the Empire. [37] This was widely regarded as the beginning of the War Against Shadow. [36]

Yoritomo knew that the Crane forces were not large enough to sustain a prolonged attack or hold the Scorpion provinces without weakening the defense of their own borders, so he withdrew into Beiden Pass to fight a defensive battle and wait. [38] While retreating they seized the Beiden Pass, a way to go north to Lion lands and the beaches of Otosan Uchi. Crane and Unicorn forces surrounded the Mantis. [39] After six months since the Mantis claimed Beiden Pass they had built a Palace upon the tall slopes of the canyon, and their armies prepare to invade the Matsu lands. The Crane allied with the Unicorn waged war against Yoritomo, seeking to destroy his hold on Beiden pass. [40]

Finally Yoritomo left the pass, moving toward Shiro Matsu and Otosan Uchi. [44] The Lion could not oppose this advance; Ikoma Tsanuri was busy marching to Crab lands and the rest of the clan was defending itself from the Unicorn. His path home cut off, Yoritomo opted to skirt the Crane lands and retreated to the edge of Phoenix territory. The Crane hesitated to enter the lands of of their longtime allies, and the Mantis were given time to regroup. [45]

Kuwanan was unaware of it at the time, but his decisions were based on advisors sent by the Lying Darkness to cause strife in the Empire.

Yoritomo had promised Tsuruchi to meet him in the Beiden Pass or in the other side of Morikage Forest, in the Phoenix lands. The small Mantis group had been slaughtered by the Goju and could not contact Yoritomo. [42] Tsuruchi joined Otaku Kamoko and several Naga, and retreated inside the Morikage Castle, where they found the kidnapped Emperor Toturi, shortly before they were attacked by more Goju. Yoritomo marched to the forest with their Ikoma allies to find what had occurred to their men, and aided Kamoko's group to survive the attack of the Shadows, and they left the forest. [46] Yoritomo was reported by Tsuruchi about the dark activities in the Morikage Castle and used it to march with his troops toward Phoenix lands. [47] It was not known why Yoritomo informed the death of Tsuruchi at Phoenix lands, [48] but it was not true. The followers of Tsuruchi did not believe it and began to seek him. [49]

Advisors of Yoritomo warned him about to wait too much because the Phoenix could ally with the Crane and the Mantis would face a war from two fronts. [50] In an effort to expand his power, Yoritomo again cited the Mantis Clan Charter and seized control of the lands of the Phoenix Clan, claiming the clan was too weak to properly protect the territory themselves, following their depletion on the Second Day of Thunder. [51] Yoritomo hoped to take the lands quickly, but the Phoenix Clan Champion, Shiba Tsukune, saw his invasion as an act of war and responded in kind. As the Phoenix were not ready for such an assault, Yoritomo slowly made his way deeper into Phoenix lands. It was later concluded that Yoritomo's actions were based on advice given by shape-shifting minions of the Lying Darkness. [52]

When the Scorpion Clan returned to Rokugan, restored as Great Clan,Bayushi Aramoro requested his son - fostered now for two years with the Mantis - back. It would be the last chance for Aramasu to take his place as Scorpion, but he refused to return. [53] Yoritomo took Aramasu as his adopted son, making him Yoritomo Aramasu. [54]

The same year, shortly after the mad Toturi disappeared again, Yoritomo was approached by Lady Shinjo, [48] who offered to put him on the Imperial throne. Her reason for this was that the Mantis did not have a hand in ending her brother Hantei's family line. [58][59] Yoritomo refused, saying he would never become a pawn, not even of the Kami. [60][61]

Shortly after Shiro Shiba was seized, one of Yoritomo's advisors urged him to press the advantage. So insistent and annoying was he that Yoritomo cut him down. The advisor's face melted down into nothingness, and Yoritomo ordered his troops to pull back to Shiro Shiba until he could determine the meaning of this event. [64]

By 1133 the Mantis had been defeated by the Phoenix. While Yoritomo was considering retreat to his homeland islands, he was wounded by one of his personal bodyguards. Aramasu charged the traitor and the Son of Storms was able to kill the would-be assassin with his Kama. The face of the dead man faded, and Aramasu learned about the Lying Darkness. Yoritomo Komori meanwhile had healed Yoritomo with his spells. The Mantis began to cleanse their ranks using crystal to test their kinsmen. [68]

In 1133 the seemingly never-ending invasion of the Phoenix lands [69] took its toll on the Alliance, creating doubt in the Mantis Clan's manner of leadership. When Yoritomo proposed marriage to Fox Clan ChampionKitsune Ryosei, she not only refused but abandoned the Alliance, throwing the Fox Clan in with the Crane. [70][71]

With Scorpion Clan returned to their lands Yoritomo retreated to the Mantis islands, abandoning mainland Rokugan completely. In 1133[72] Yoritomo married Moshi Wakiza the Moshi Daimyo of the Centipede Clan, making the bonds between both clans stronger. [47]

When the Dragon of Water came to collect Yoritomo and his twenty strongest men to be speeded away to Oblivion's Gate, Yoritomo knew his men were weak and weary from the war with the Phoenix. He told the Water Dragon that he was his twenty strongest men. Young Aramasu boldly stood with his father and said "And I am twenty-one."[73][74]

During the Battle of Oblivion's Gate in 1133, Yoritomo was confronted by Goju Adorai who attempted to convince the Mantis Champion to join the Shadow by giving up his name. Yoritomo replied that he had already given his name to his followers. Adorai was outraged and lashed out at Yoritomo, severely wounding the Champion before fleeing. Aramasu, who had been watching nearby, raced over to his adoptive father. Dying, Yoritomo passed leadership on to Aramasu. Aramasu took up his father's kama and ended Yoritomo's suffering, fulfilling the prophecies Hitomi and Adorai had made that Aramasu would kill his father. [76]

Following his death Yoritomo fought alongside the other heroes of Rokugan who returned through Oblivion's Gate. [76] He once again took up arms alongside his son Aramasu and other heroic souls in the Legion of the Dead to battle the Legion of Blood over the newly formed Realm of Thwarted Destiny.

Following the victory at Oblivion's Gate, Yoritomo spent his time in Yomi, repeatedly performing kata on the seashore. What would be considered a reward for some was a boring existence for a man who had had such an exciting life. [77]

The funeral for Yoritomo was attended by every Mantis of importance and eight daimyo from other clans. A massive warship containing Yoritomo's body was cast on Umi Yakamo and set ablaze by a bolt of lightning, cast by the hand of Osano-Wo himself. [78]

Following the Elemental Dragons' purge of all non-fortune, non-Emperor mortals in the heavens, the Dragon of Thunder did not wish Yoritomo to be cast out of Tengoku. The dragons allowed Otaku Kamoko to stay in Tengoku as Shinjo's substitute until Shinjo's return, but they would not allow Yoritomo to remain because he had no divine patron. Thunder, feeling that Yoritomo was worthy of being allowed to remain, gave up a part of its own divinity to make Yoritomo a rightful resident of the heavens. Thunder was cast down and Yoritomo was allowed to live in Tengoku permanently, effectively considered to be a Kami. [80]